Column names - (created, modified) vs. (creation, modification) [closed]

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I have a database schema where all the tables are required to have a column to hold the timestamp for the initial INSERT and another column that holds the timestamp of the last UPDATE. Initially this column will have the same value as the one used for the INSERT timestamp.

I can't decide if it's more appropriate to call them created and modified or maybe creation and modification.

Suggestions for different names are also welcome.

Answer 1

Of those two options creation/modification as that is less ambiguous.

Looking at some SQL or documentation for the structure that doesn't include column type information, created/modified could be mistaken for boolean values.

Furthermore, I'd be inclined to be more specific and use creationTime/modificationTime or createdTime/modifiedTime, probably the latter because it is vaguely quicker to type.

Answer 2

The database software does not care either way. Only the humans will get excited by this. Why not ask them (him? her?) which is preferred. Both are grammatically correct.

The important point is to pick one convention and apply it rigorously.

Also, look into temporal tables. They will give the same semantics with a much richer history. If your DBMS does not support them natively they can be implemented using triggers.